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Social media giant Facebook wants to be the choice distribution channel for journalists and is giving reporters the ability to stream live on Facebook itself.

Verified journalists, experts, and other “influencers” can use its Mentions app, which was formerly available only to select celebrities. The app will allow journalists to post live to Facebook during breaking news, for behind-the-scenes reports or to host live Q&As with followers, among other possibilities.

“We want to make Facebook a better experience for journalists whether it’s used for news-gathering or better connecting with their readers or to drive distribution to their content.”Vadim Lavrusik, Facebook’s product manager for Mentions

The Mentions app also lets users monitor what people are saying about them, follow topics that interest them, see what’s trending on Facebook and have a greater ability to decide with whom they share their posts.

To get a verified profile, the company says anyone can apply, but only those who qualify will be approved, although they didn’t go into detail about the criteria for approval.

The social giant hopes that by broadening the scope of who can use its livestreaming capability, more journalists will use its platform.